LAHORE – Seven militants who were on their way to launch an attack in Punjab were killed after an exchange of gunfire with police, officials said on Wednesday.
The incident took place around midnight in the Sheikhupura district, according to a statement from the provincial Counter Terrorism Department, which said the men belonged to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Laskhar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) groups.
The police statement said that a dozen or so militants were riding motorcycles and were on their way to attack police when they were intercepted.
“When the firing stopped, seven unknown terrorists were found dead,” it said, adding that the men were killed “by firing from their accomplices who fled from the scene taking benefit of darkness”.
Shahzad Sultan, a senior local police official confirmed the incident death and toll. Police said they had recovered explosives, a detonation cord, guns and ammunition from the slain men. No police personnel were killed or injured in the encounter.
